Speaker 1: Today we are reading the Word of God from the book of Acts, chapter 19, verse 11 to 20.
Speaker 1: Let me read this in a moment Acts, chapter 19, verse 11 to 20.
Speaker 1: God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out.
Speaker 1: But also some of the Jewish exorcists who went from place to place, attempted to name over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches.
Speaker 1: Seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this and the evil spirits answered and said to them I recognize Jesus and I know about Paul, but who are you?
Speaker 1: And the man in whom was the evil spirits leaped on them and subdued all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Speaker 1: This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.
Speaker 1: Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices, and many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone, and they counted up the price of them and found it to be 50,000 pieces of silver and verse 20, let's read verse 20 together so, so mightily, grew the word of God and prevailed.
Speaker 1: Be magnified, o Lord.
Speaker 1: You are highly exalted and there is nothing you can't do.
Speaker 1: O Lord, my eyes are on you.
Speaker 1: Be magnified, magnify, oh Lord.
Speaker 1: Be magnified, lord, as you bring your word to us this morning, I pray that you be magnified, that only you will be lifted up, because, as you are lifted up, you will draw men to yourself.
Speaker 1: That only your name will be lifted up, because, as you are lifted up, you will draw men to yourself.
Speaker 1: That only your name will be lifted up, because when your name is lifted up, there is transformation in the hearts of men.
Speaker 1: And so, lord, I come before you humbly requesting that you may speak to me and speak to your people.
Speaker 1: I pray that, lord, you will show me where you are working this morning, that I may join you, that I will not do my own things, I will not say my own things, but I will say that which you want your people to hear.
Speaker 1: And so be magnified in our hearts, be magnified through this word In Jesus name, we pray and God's people say Amen.
Speaker 1: God's people say I'll invite us to have our seats.
Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, we pray and God's people say Amen.
Speaker 1: God's people say Amen, I'll invite us to have our seats.
Speaker 1: Our theme this particular month, which is the first day of the month of September, the eighth month of this year.
Speaker 1: We thank God that he has brought us this far.
Speaker 1: We give him praise that he has sustained us.
Speaker 1: We give him glory that he has been with us.
Speaker 1: He has not left us.
Speaker 1: He has not, you know, departed from us, and we thank God for what he is doing.
Speaker 1: And I am here to tell you that, even the four months that are remaining of this year, the Lord is going to re-energize you so that you can advance in Jesus name.
Speaker 1: I also invite you to interact with the pastor's word in our bulletin.
Speaker 1: It's about being re-energized, and I believe that the Lord is doing something new in your lives.
Speaker 1: Even as we begin this new month and as we go all the way to the end of this year, tell somebody you are going to finish strong.
Speaker 1: Tell the other one I am going to finish strong.
Speaker 1: That is our conviction as a pastoral team and we believe, as we continue standing with you, despite the challenges that you may have, that you are going to prevail in Jesus name.
Speaker 1: You are going to advance in Jesus' name.
Speaker 1: You are going to advance in the mighty name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: And so this month we are talking about the open door, advancement, uplifted kingdom, warfare, and this morning I want to share with us, briefly on the subject, the growing and prevailing kingdom.
Speaker 1: The growing and prevailing kingdom.
Speaker 1: If you are a student of history, whether you know history of the world in general, or even a student of biblical history or the history of Christianity, the history of this world you will know that many kingdoms have come over the world, they have reigned for some time and many of them are no longer in existence.
Speaker 1: We know the Greek empire, we know the Roman empire, we know, and we can go all the way, the Babylonian empire and even, right now, we know the superpowers of the world, and I can assure you, in a few years from now, they will be part of that history, because there is no kingdom that advances to eternity apart from the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore the kingdom of God is not only growing, that is, it is not only manifesting in terms of numbers and it is not only manifesting in terms of territory that it has continued to spread from a small group of 12 people somewhere in Palestine it has continued to spread all over the world.
Speaker 1: And we have statistics showing that this kingdom continues to take territory and continues to grow in number.
Speaker 1: And the Bible tells us Jesus himself proclaimed that from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force that this kingdom in Matthew 11, verse 12, it is advancing and it is advancing in a forceful manner.
Speaker 1: It is taking territory and you are part of that kingdom.
Speaker 1: Not only is this kingdom advancing in terms of numbers, but this kingdom is also prevailing, and by prevailing I mean that this kingdom is also growing in power and transformation.
Speaker 1: It is a kingdom that manifests in power and a kingdom that manifests in transformation.
Speaker 1: Generations, countries, communities, families, individuals that have come into contact with this kingdom, their lives have not remained the same.
Speaker 1: It is a transforming kingdom.
Speaker 1: Let me tell you when the kingdom of God enters a city, that city is transformed and we will be seeing in a moment.
Speaker 1: There is power that starts to manifest when the kingdom of God advances.
Speaker 1: When the kingdom of God grows and prevails in a country, there is transformation, there is power that is at work and no one can stand against that kingdom.
Speaker 1: And when we look at the Bible we see Paul's journeys and for sure, wherever Paul went, the kingdom of God grew and prevailed.
Speaker 1: If you are a student again of the Word of God, reading through the book of Acts and reading through the Pauline epistles, you will see that wherever Paul went in his missionary journeys, the kingdom of God grew and the kingdom of God prevailed.
Speaker 1: Individuals were changed, households were transformed, marketplace was changed.
Speaker 1: There was impact in the marketplace, religions were changed and transformed.
Speaker 1: Wherever Paul went, kings and ordinary men were both touched and transformed by the kingdom.
Speaker 1: As Paul visited different places.
Speaker 1: In fact, I was just studying through, just looking through Paul's missionary journeys, and I even noticed that this kingdom was prevailing with a lot of power.
Speaker 1: This kingdom was prevailing and growing with a lot of transformation, such that wherever Paul went there was even uproars, uproars, uproars, uproars and riots.
Speaker 1: Paul goes to Corinth and riots.
Speaker 1: Paul goes to Corinth.
Speaker 1: First of all he goes to the Salonica in Acts, chapter 17, verse 5 to 7.
Speaker 1: And when he just shows up, acts, chapter 17, verse 5.
Speaker 1: But the Jews which believed not give me NIV I think NIV will be easier, so that I know this not and thou and diest, who is it referring to?
Speaker 1: So, but other Jews were jealous.
Speaker 1: Paul shows up.
Speaker 1: There is transformation, there is advancement, there is kingdom.
Speaker 1: The kingdom is prevailing.
Speaker 1: And then some Jews.
Speaker 1: So they rounded up some of the bad characters.
Speaker 1: Can you see these guys?
Speaker 1: They rounded up some of the bad characters from the marketplace.
Speaker 1: They formed a mob and started a riot in the city.
Speaker 1: Simply because Paul has shown up and he has said there is a kingdom that is prevailing, there is a kingdom that is advancing.
Speaker 1: When is the last time that people formed a mob to chase you away because they could not stand you, because of the kingdom?
Speaker 1: I pray that you are not in the category of people who are thrown out because you are bringing the kingdom down.
Speaker 1: You are not representing the kingdom Again.
Speaker 1: You go to Corinth in Acts, chapter 18, verse 12.
Speaker 1: Listen to this quickly Acts, chapter 18, verse 12.
Speaker 1: This is what the Bible says.
Speaker 1: Now.
Speaker 1: He is at Corinth While Galo was proconsul of Achaia.
Speaker 1: The Jews of Corinth made a united attack and this is not Manu.
Speaker 1: They made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the palace.
Speaker 1: Of what Judgment this man shows up, and because of the power of the kingdom, again in Ephesus, in Acts, chapter 19, verse 23,.
Speaker 1: Let's just see how this kingdom is prevailing with power.
Speaker 1: It is not hidden, it is not silent.
Speaker 1: The Bible says about that time.
Speaker 1: There arose a great disturbance about the way, and the way here is about the kingdom is about Christianity.
Speaker 1: You cannot be an advancer of the kingdom and there is silence wherever you are.
Speaker 1: Things must start shaking, and if it's not people shaking, then even the demons should start shaking.
Speaker 1: Buena esoa sifuwe, things cannot be the same in your family.
Speaker 1: When you are advancing the kingdom, something must give way.
Speaker 1: There must be a riot, buena esoa sifuwe, and you are not the one to start the riot.
Speaker 1: It's people getting uncomfortable by this power.
Speaker 1: But when people get so comfortable around you, I can assure you it doesn't matter how many times you pray per day, the kingdom is not advancing, the kingdom is not growing and the kingdom is not prevailing.
Speaker 1: Hallelujah, how can there be light and people still see darkness?
Speaker 1: It is not possible.
Speaker 1: You can't say I am the light of the earth, I am the salt of the earth, but where you are, people are still seeing darkness.
Speaker 1: Light must shine.
Speaker 1: And so Paul shows up and there is light, and you can go on.
Speaker 1: You can look at Jerusalem in Acts chapter 23, verse 6.
Speaker 1: You will see what is happening in Jerusalem, acts chapter 23.
Speaker 1: Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, he called out in the Sanhedrin this man was very interesting he's brought before the Sadducees and Sanhedrin.
Speaker 1: They have ganged up together against him.
Speaker 1: And then he just realizes I only need to throw something concerning the kingdom and the entire place will turn around.
Speaker 1: And then he says I am a Pharisee, I am standing here in judgment because I believe in the resurrection, and immediately there was a riot.
Speaker 1: You stand somewhere and you say I will not do this because I believe in Jesus, and immediately there should be a riot.
Speaker 1: Away with him, away with him.
Speaker 1: The kingdom is prevailing.
Speaker 1: The kingdom is prevailing, of course, in the temple.
Speaker 1: It also happened If you look at Acts 21, verse 27 to 30, and 22, verse 22 to 24,.
Speaker 1: Just look at those passages and many other places.
Speaker 1: This growth has been characterized by a number of things that I will be sharing with us briefly.
Speaker 1: First of all, this growth.
Speaker 1: This power was characterized by the manifestation of God's power.
Speaker 1: It was also characterized by the exposure of imposters.
Speaker 1: Wherever Paul went and there were imposters, they were exposed.
Speaker 1: It was also characterized by the magnification of the name of Jesus, but it was also characterized by the conviction of men and finally, it was characterized by the transformation of men.
Speaker 1: You know Paul remains consistent in this passage that we have read, that when he shows up at Ephesus, the Bible says that he starts engaging in the word immediately.
Speaker 1: If you look at chapter 19, you know the first few verses.
Speaker 1: It says that when it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth verse 1, paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus and found some disciples.
Speaker 1: He said to them did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?
Speaker 1: When Paul shows up, he is not a tourist, he is not taking selfies.
Speaker 1: He is around for kingdom business.
Speaker 1: He is not looking around at what excites him.
Speaker 1: What excites him when he shows up in a territory is kingdom business, and immediately he meets these disciples.
Speaker 1: They're excited and he asks them you guys, you look like disciples.
Speaker 1: But I have a question Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?
Speaker 1: What are you characterized by?
Speaker 1: Wherever you show up, there was this preacher.
Speaker 1: It's a story.
Speaker 1: I don't know how true it is and you know, pastors have many stories.
Speaker 1: I don't know how true this is, but this man was preaching and he must have been a Baptist minister.
Speaker 1: And every time he stood up to preach Maybe he was the maturity pastor Any time he stood up to preach, he preached about baptism, baptism, baptism preached about baptism, baptism, baptism, baptism, baptism.
Speaker 1: And so one time the elders sat together and said pastor, don't you hear anything else from the Lord?
Speaker 1: Don't you have any different word from the Lord?
Speaker 1: And so they said now we want you to preach from Matthew, chapter 1, verse 1 to 18.
Speaker 1: You can check for yourself what it is all about.
Speaker 1: And of course, the man of God went home and prepared the sermon and on Sunday, when he came, he read the passage Let us stand up, let us read the word of God.
Speaker 1: It is very exciting.
Speaker 1: And of course, matthew, chapter 1, verse 1 to 18.
Speaker 1: This one begot this one, this one begot that one, that one begot that one, the other one begot that one, until we come to Joseph.
Speaker 1: And then he paused and he asked I wonder, were all these people baptized?
Speaker 1: And then immediately he went into his message.
Speaker 1: Can you be somewhere advancing the kingdom that people are fed up of you Because the kingdom is prevailing?
Speaker 1: Every time you show up, you are speaking Jesus, you are manifesting Jesus, you are acting Jesus, you are behaving Jesus.
Speaker 1: Some of us are speaking Jesus but not behaving Jesus.
Speaker 1: I know it may sound strong If I say some of us are speaking Jesus but acting the devil himself.
Speaker 1: I incarnate.
Speaker 1: Paul shows up.
Speaker 1: Of course, he goes ahead in verse 8.
Speaker 1: The Bible tells us of that same chapter.
Speaker 1: And he entered the synagogues and he continued Look at this.
Speaker 1: He continued speaking out boldly for three good months, reasoning and persuading them about what the kingdom, that's how the kingdom will prevail.
Speaker 1: That's how the kingdom will grow.
Speaker 1: That's how the kingdom will prevail.
Speaker 1: That's how the kingdom will grow.
Speaker 1: Of course, again, these guys, they started plotting on how to stir up the people against Paul and he left.
Speaker 1: And we are told in verse, in verse 10, in verse 9, going downwards.
Speaker 1: But when some were coming, were becoming hardened and disobedient because of the kingdom speaking evil of the way before the people.
Speaker 1: He withdrew from them and took away the disciples reasoning daily in the school of Tainaras.
Speaker 1: And then the Bible says that this happened for two good years.
Speaker 1: I want to inform us, church, this morning, that the word of God is the sole catalyst that leads the kingdom of God to grow and prevail, and that is what Paul committed himself.
Speaker 1: And so we are invited today to not only faithfully proclaim it, but also faithfully live it out.
Speaker 1: This gospel is more powerful when it is lived out Even than when it is spoken.
Speaker 1: That people can look at you.
Speaker 1: They looked at the disciples and they said these ones, these ones look like Christ.
Speaker 1: They brought Paul, peter and John before the Sanhedrin and at the end of the day, they said these ones, even though they are unschooled, they must have been with Christ.
Speaker 1: You are schooled.
Speaker 1: Can people say that, besides, you are being schooled, you must have been with Christ?
Speaker 1: The Lord has endowed you with wealth.
Speaker 1: Can people look at you and say, beyond the wealth, this man is different.
Speaker 1: He must have been with Christ.
Speaker 1: That was the character of Paul and therefore, as we remain faithful to the word of God, I want you to see what God will do in order for the kingdom to continue growing and manifesting.
Speaker 1: Continue growing and manifesting.
Speaker 1: Now I have changed the presupposition here, or rather, I have changed the argument.
Speaker 1: Now, paul is faithful in the word and we have seen that all the way.
Speaker 1: Paul is faithful.
Speaker 1: Therefore, the advancement of the kingdom will be God's work, as we faithfully and consistently proclaim the gospel, proclaim the word and live out the word.
Speaker 1: So what will God do?
Speaker 1: A number of things.
Speaker 1: First of all, this kingdom grows and prevails.
Speaker 1: Number one, by God manifesting authentic kingdom power.
Speaker 1: Paul has just been preaching, he has shown up and he's just saying Jesus died on the cross, jesus is risen, jesus is the savior.
Speaker 1: Believe in Jesus and he's living like a believer and as he does that, the Bible says that God started performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons, paul was not concerned about miracles, paul was not running after miracles.
Speaker 1: Paul was consistent in proclaiming, paul was determined to proclaim and that's why, when one place did not yield fruit, he did not give up.
Speaker 1: He went to another place.
Speaker 1: He was determined to continue.
Speaker 1: You know the kingdom to continue growing and prevailing.
Speaker 1: Paul lived faithfully the word that he preached and as he did this, god manifested his power, the power that heals, the power that sets free, the power that delivers, the power that saves, the power that sets free, the power that delivers, the power that saves, the power that transforms.
Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen, if we remain faithful to the gospel, our ministry will be accompanied by signs and wonders.
Speaker 1: Our presence will be accompanied by signs and wonders.
Speaker 1: Your family will transform when you remain consistent and determined in the word of God.
Speaker 1: One time we had a family gathering and I was given an opportunity to share the word, and the Lord led me to share a word.
Speaker 1: I think it must have pricked one of my uncles very seriously, because we have quite a number of people in my family and the Lord is working on them who know the word.
Speaker 1: They know the word but they have not received it.
Speaker 1: So that you know, there is a difference between knowing the word.
Speaker 1: Even demons know the word but they are not saved.
Speaker 1: And so, even as I shared this word, after I finished sharing, the man stood up and he was slightly tipsy and he said you know this little boy.
Speaker 1: We are glad we have taught him well, we have seen how he has grown so that he can deflect away the word.
Speaker 1: And I felt like asking him do you know, when I show up in Paki, they listen to the word very seriously.
Speaker 1: Who are you not to listen, but I said as if he were Paul remained consistent with the word.
Speaker 1: What is happening today?
Speaker 1: Many people, instead, today are seeking signs and wonders.
Speaker 1: Alright, alright, so that when you are invited for a crusade, you are not invited to receive the word that transforms, you are invited to receive a miracle From the mighty man of God.
Speaker 1: And that's why people move from one mighty man of God to another mighty man of God and to a mighty man, a woman of God, but their lives remain the same.
Speaker 1: Why?
Speaker 1: Because there is no word, there is seeking of signs and miracles and wonders.
Speaker 1: But when the Bible says seek ye first the kingdom of God, when, if we are going to advance, even as believers, seek ye first the kingdom of God, vehicles will follow, wealth will follow, health will follow and I dare say, even if they don't follow the kingdom will be growing and prevailing.
Speaker 1: We don't see Paul with a budget, we don't see Paul with a committee, we see Paul with a word and it prevailed this kind of, and that's why we are seeing big crowds.
Speaker 1: But also, as we see big crowds being associated with the church, we are also seeing big corruption.
Speaker 1: So big crowds are being associated with the church, but what are.
Speaker 1: We also seeing Big corruption.
Speaker 1: We are seeing big crowds associated with the church, but we are also seeing all manner of things, big immoralities.
Speaker 1: It is not the crowd, it is those who have picked up their cross daily and followed Jesus that will advance the kingdom.
Speaker 1: But also, let me bring us Our attention that again, we also have.
Speaker 1: We are also having some what I am referring to as Some GMO gospel that passed you, some genetically modified Gospel, a gospel that is devoid Of spiritual nutrients For the kingdom to grow and prevail.
Speaker 1: It's a quick flame gospel.
Speaker 1: It is a gospel that is seeking to advance mysteries and visions and dreams and gymnastics, and it is this kind of gospel, brothers and sisters, can advance a man.
Speaker 1: You didn't hear me this kind of gospel.
Speaker 1: If I start preaching that gospel, I'll have a bigger crowd than you are here.
Speaker 1: It can advance a man, it can make a man great, it can advance a brand, but it will not advance a kingdom that grows and prevails.
Speaker 1: Don't we have them among us?
Speaker 1: You know we also have to get bold with this gospel.
Speaker 1: We also have to say that there are some who seem to have come from among us, but they are not for us.
Speaker 1: We must be bold to call it out.
Speaker 1: And, brothers and sisters, I am inviting you.
Speaker 1: The other day I heard somebody say you know, nowadays I am receiving the mysteries and I am now seeing how Jesus will come.
Speaker 1: And then he said I will be releasing these mysteries to you in bits and pieces, but today I am releasing one.
Speaker 1: And do you know the one he released?
Speaker 1: He said I have already seen how the trumpet will sound.
Speaker 1: Now, the most interesting part in that particular word that he was preaching Is that he had an interpreter and he said this is how the trumpet will sound.
Speaker 1: Now the interpreter did his own thing Ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba.
Speaker 1: Brothers and sisters, that gospel cannot advance a kingdom to grow and prevail, and that's why we must develop the Berean spirit.
Speaker 1: The Bible says in Acts, chapter 17, verse 11, that now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica.
Speaker 1: They were noble.
Speaker 1: I pray that Parklands Baptist Church raises men and women who are noble.
Speaker 1: I pray that Parklands Baptist Church is not just going to raise men and women who are dumb in their spirits and in their heads, but it will raise men and women who are noble.
Speaker 1: In that whatever Pastor Kiniti preaches, they go home and search the scriptures to find out.
Speaker 1: Was it true?
Speaker 1: I know yesterday some guys reminded me of something I mentioned here, of a pastor who was preaching very powerfully in the spirit and he said you know, jonah swallowed the fish.
Speaker 1: And he continued in power, preaching mightily, sweating, wiping himself and all the gymnastics.
Speaker 1: But one member in the congregation was so disturbed in his spirit that he lifted up his hand, said pastor, what is it, brother?
Speaker 1: Is the spirit walking around there?
Speaker 1: Is the spirit moving?
Speaker 1: Give him a mic.
Speaker 1: Are those the kind of things we hear?
Speaker 1: Give him a mic quickly, let's hear, I think, the spirit.
Speaker 1: The man said pastor, you said Jonah swallowed the fish.
Speaker 1: I think it was the fish that swallowed Jonah.
Speaker 1: And the man of God was seriously and thoroughly upset and he said whether it is Jonah who swallowed the fish or it is the fish that swallowed Jonah, what I was emphasizing is a swallowing.
Speaker 1: That gospel cannot grow a kingdom to prevail.
Speaker 1: It can't entertain the way you have laughed and enjoyed, but it can't grow a kingdom to prevail.
Speaker 1: Bwanaeswa tukuzwe, you know my spirit gets very disturbed when I listen to some preaching around.
Speaker 1: Honestly, my spirit gets very, very disturbed, and it gets even more disturbed when I realize that that preaching has followed us.
Speaker 1: I pray that I never see a Parklands Baptist person there, because I'll come for you and I will open up your head and put a Bible inside, if that is the least I can do, because, brothers and sisters, if a kingdom is going to grow and prevail, it must be very faithful to these scriptures.
Speaker 1: Jesus said the kingdom has come.
Speaker 1: That's all he said.
Speaker 1: And you know, again, there are people who are making the word of God very mysterious, such that when they are preaching it, hey, you can see, this is new gospel.
Speaker 1: Let me tell you there is no new gospel on earth.
Speaker 1: Jesus finished the work of the gospel and the gospel is simple he died on the gospel and the gospel is simple he died on the cross so that whoever believes in him shall be saved and set free and given eternal life.
Speaker 1: There is no any other gospel.
Speaker 1: If somebody shows up, paul tells the Galatians if somebody shows up and tells you there is a new gospel, even if it's an angel, she'll be accursed.
Speaker 1: Brethren, stop.
Speaker 1: There is a new gospel, even if it's an angel, shall be accursed.
Speaker 1: Brethren, stop searching for a new gospel, the gospel.
Speaker 1: The Bible says in Romans, chapter it should be chapter, is it 10, that the word is before you.
Speaker 1: It is right in your mouth.
Speaker 1: The word that saves is a simple word.
Speaker 1: The word that advances the kingdom to grow and prevail is a simple word that for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten son.
Speaker 1: That whoever believes in that simple message is saved and has eternal life.
Speaker 1: And let me tell you how powerful that word is.
Speaker 1: Because verse 17 of that word, because verse 17 of that word.
Speaker 1: Give me verse 17 of that word.
Speaker 1: John, chapter 3, verse 17.
Speaker 1: This is how powerful that word is.
Speaker 1: Because it says For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him, verse 18.
Speaker 1: Verse 18.
Speaker 1: Whoever believes in him is not condemned.
Speaker 1: That simple verse.
Speaker 1: Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already.
Speaker 1: You don't need to murder anyone to be condemned.
Speaker 1: You don't need to steal billions to be condemned.
Speaker 1: You just need not to believe in him and you stand condemned.
Speaker 1: Bless you.
Speaker 1: You can imagine when somebody is lost.
Speaker 1: I was giving another example yesterday and I see my time is up, but I will finish this.
Speaker 1: You know, when you talk about the gospel being simple, I want you to imagine somebody who is lost and you are giving them direction.
Speaker 1: But I will finish this.
Speaker 1: You know, when you talk about the gospel being simple, I want you to imagine somebody who is lost and you are giving them direction.
Speaker 1: Then you start telling them go straight perpendicular, go perpendicular.
Speaker 1: Then right at that end, take angle theta, take angle theta.
Speaker 1: Do you remember angle theta?
Speaker 1: Then, when you take angle theta, which other angle do you remember in mathematics, theta?
Speaker 1: Then, when you take Ango Theta, which other Ango do you remember in mathematics?
Speaker 1: Which one Mathematics teacher that was my chem teacher which other Ango do you remember?
Speaker 1: Now, can you imagine this person is lost.
Speaker 1: You are telling them take Ango Theta, then go vertical, and when you turn to the left, turn horizontal.
Speaker 1: That kind of language will not get that person to where they are going.
Speaker 1: It should be very simple.
Speaker 1: Just go, turn right.
Speaker 1: When you turn right, because it's a very long journey, just ask someone else there so that they tell you the next stage.
Speaker 1: Make it as simple as possible.
Speaker 1: The gospel is not complicated.
Speaker 1: It should never be complicated.
Speaker 1: The gospel is not complicated.
Speaker 1: It should never be complicated.
Speaker 1: The gospel is not mysterious.
Speaker 1: You can understand the gospel by reading it.
Speaker 1: Yes, just commit yourself to read.
Speaker 1: And that's the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1: So what did he mean here?
Speaker 1: The gospel should be simple.
Speaker 1: Even if I don't say anything else.
Speaker 1: The gospel that will advance the kingdom to grow and prevail is a simple gospel.
Speaker 1: Parklands Baptist Church must advance that gospel.
Speaker 1: Yeah, let people not come, let people say it is boring, let people say you know we are not feeling the manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1: Your feelings notwithstanding, the kingdom is advancing and prevailing.
Speaker 1: He kingdoms.
Speaker 1: You are a Makasiriko.
Speaker 1: It's not a feel-good kingdom, so that it depends on how you are feeling.
Speaker 1: It prevails, it grows when the gospel is simple Because I know Pastor Riggs may end up being on my case, but I am moved to say just one more that again, this kingdom will prevail by God exposing counterfeits and impostors.
Speaker 1: The Bible tells us that, as God was performing miracles through Paul, verse 13 says that some fellows showed up and they are referred to as exorcists who went from place to place.
Speaker 1: Some of the people we call pastors in this country are exorcists Exorcists Whatever it is.
Speaker 1: And so they were going around saying hey brother, come in the name of Jesus, Whom Paul preaches, come out.
Speaker 1: And those are the kind of people.
Speaker 1: I had one, he was told this person has a kidney problem and immediately started praying kidney, come out, come out Now.
Speaker 1: If your kidney comes out, my brother.
Speaker 1: These are the people.
Speaker 1: They are people who are in search of fame.
Speaker 1: They are people who are in search of works and not God of the kingdom, them.
Speaker 1: There are people who are in search of works and not God of the kingdom.
Speaker 1: They love being associated with the works of the kingdom but not the Lord of the kingdom.
Speaker 1: They pause with the works of the kingdom but they don't pause with the Lord of this kingdom.
Speaker 1: So these are the kind of things they saw.
Speaker 1: They're in pursuit of money, they're in pursuit of crowds, they're in pursuit of power.
Speaker 1: They're even in pursuit of demons.
Speaker 1: And I declare today may the Lord expose them.
Speaker 1: You know, I am tired of hearing Kenya is 80% Christian.
Speaker 1: I want God to expose those who are not and who are spoiling for us, so that he can uplift those who are and they can become examples.
Speaker 1: And I even want God to expose them in a very mighty way, these ones here.
Speaker 1: They were exposed, they were beaten, they were wounded, not by people, by demons, in fact, so much so that they were even stripped naked.
Speaker 1: May the Lord undress them.
Speaker 1: May the Lord cause them to walk naked so that we can fully know them and we know that they are counterfeits.
Speaker 1: So, these fellows, do you know what happened when the Lord did that?
Speaker 1: The Bible says that there was awe and fear in the name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: One of these fine days and I am not cursing anybody, I'm just saying one of these fine days somebody will go crazy for using the name of Jesus aimlessly and trying to tell people how close he's posing with the works of Jesus, but how far he is from the Lordship of Jesus.
Speaker 1: So that we can settle some of these things once and for all.
Speaker 1: Whether it is in government, whether it is in our politics, if you are coming to church, you are in the marketplace, you are in politics.
Speaker 1: You'd better be of sound gospel of the kingdom, you better be under the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Speaker 1: Because one of these findings even pastors, god is going to strip people naked.
Speaker 1: Because this kingdom advances forcefully.
Speaker 1: It doesn't advance with decorum, it doesn't advance in suits, it advances with power and God is going to separate us so that it is known.
Speaker 1: This God still does a separation, but I won't go without saying this one that then, number three, this kingdom, will advance by God magnifying the name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: Verse 17 the bible tells us that when all this happened and these people were stripped naked, the bible says that this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified.
Speaker 1: You know, brethren, the name of Jesus has been maligned, so much so that sometimes there are chiefs who have a more popular name than the name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: It's a shame.
Speaker 1: The Bible tells us about this Jesus.
Speaker 1: Tells us about this Jesus In Philippians, chapter 2, verse 9 to 11,.
Speaker 1: It tells us how God has exalted this Jesus.
Speaker 1: It says, therefore, god also has highly exalted him.
Speaker 1: This Jesus is highly exalted.
Speaker 1: He is given the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee I want you to think of every knee, think of every knee, the knee of the high and mighty that knee, because of how this name has been uplifted, must bow, and not just here on earth, but even in heaven.
Speaker 1: In fact, the Bible tells us that in heaven there are 24 elders, 24 elders, and we have elders among us.
Speaker 1: Here I can spot quite a number of them, 24 elders, senior elders.
Speaker 1: But the Bible says they go around the throne, they put down their crowns, they magnify Jesus.
Speaker 1: Their work is just to say oh, jesus, be lifted.
Speaker 1: They just manifest the uplifting of Jesus.
Speaker 1: Yet sometimes this name is maligned by boys.
Speaker 1: If elders in heaven are magnifying this name, god has uplifted this name.
Speaker 1: It is not a name that we need to joke with.
Speaker 1: And so if the kingdom is going to advance, we must remove Kiniti's name from the forefront.
Speaker 1: We must remove.
Speaker 1: Let me use Kate's name, because we must remove Kate's name from the forefront.
Speaker 1: We must remove.
Speaker 1: Let me use Kate's name, because we must remove Kate's name from the forefront.
Speaker 1: The only name that should remain is the name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: If you show up somewhere and people know you more than Jesus, there is a problem.
Speaker 1: They should say like Joseph, you remember Joseph.
Speaker 1: They were not even calling him Joseph.
Speaker 1: They were saying here comes the dreamer If people have not branded you.
Speaker 1: There is a gentleman who was branded that name here.
Speaker 1: I know we can have many arguments, but on social media.
Speaker 1: And he was called.
Speaker 1: Who Was he?
Speaker 1: Called Brother Jesus or what was he called that gentleman?
Speaker 1: You know whom I'm talking about?
Speaker 1: Oh, you don't know whom I'm talking about?
Speaker 1: Find out, do some research.
Speaker 1: Can we have more Christians being called Jesus, being called followers of Christ?
Speaker 1: Wherever they show up, people can say, hey, you know, we have to stop those stories Because there is a Jesus fellow that is showing up.
Speaker 1: He doesn't entertain these stories.
Speaker 1: The rest we shall read Amen, of course.
Speaker 1: The other two are that Jesus will convict men, and this one is actually important Because verse 18 and 19,.
Speaker 1: Listen to what it says.
Speaker 1: No, just listen to what it says.
Speaker 1: In fact, you can stand up as I read this one.
Speaker 1: Listen to what it says.
Speaker 1: It's a very important one.
Speaker 1: How will the kingdom advance?
Speaker 1: This is a very interesting one.
Speaker 1: This is what verse 18 says.
Speaker 1: Many also of those who had believed.
Speaker 1: Now, we are not just calling those who have not believed to come to Christ.
Speaker 1: Listen to this, brothers and sisters, as I conclude that many of those who had believed, they had believed, but there are things they were still doing.
Speaker 1: Are you getting the point?
Speaker 1: Yes, they had believed, they had heard the word, but they were still doing.
Speaker 1: Are you getting the point?
Speaker 1: Yes, they had believed, they had heard the word, but they were still doing magic.
Speaker 1: They were still doing sorcery.
Speaker 1: They were still cutting deals.
Speaker 1: They were still backbiting.
Speaker 1: You can't backbite anywhere else.
Speaker 1: Anyway, they were backbiting, they were doing all these manner of things, but when this word started prevailing and growing, they would come forward and confess.
Speaker 1: I pray that men and women will confess so that this kingdom can advance.
Speaker 1: You can't refuse with your sin and expect the kingdom can advance.
Speaker 1: You can't refuse with your sin and expect the kingdom to advance.
Speaker 1: You have grabbed somebody's piece of land and then you are walking around Thinking that because of your preaching, there will be an advancement.
Speaker 1: You have stolen company money.
Speaker 1: You have gone beyond Behind somebody's back, maliciously Caused them to lose their job, and then you are imagining that when you stand and preach, their kingdom will prevail.
Speaker 1: No, it will not Come forward and confess.
Speaker 1: Zacchaeus came forward and he said whatever I have stolen, I am returning.
Speaker 1: And then he said in fact, even what I have right now, I am distributing it to the poor.
Speaker 1: Why?
Speaker 1: Because I want to come clean.
Speaker 1: Let me tell you, brothers and sisters, there is no other cure for sin, it's only confession.
Speaker 1: It has no other cure but confession.
Speaker 1: I pray that we may come there, to that point, so that the kingdom Can truly and of course, the last one is that God Transforms the world world through his word.
Speaker 1: Amen, hallelujah, amen, amen.
Speaker 1: Anyone else who would want to respond to this gospel, feel free.
Speaker 1: Whatever it is that you want to respond, let me ask the deacons and the pastors just come to the front.
Speaker 1: You just want to come and say Lord, whatever you have received, you want to respond?
Speaker 1: Just come for a moment.
Speaker 1: Tell the deacon, tell the pastor, if you want to get born again.
Speaker 1: It is not my work, it is the work of this word, it is the work of the kingdom, and so feel free.
Speaker 1: You know how the word has blessed you and you know what God is telling you.
Speaker 1: So you can take a moment.
Speaker 1: If you would want to come to the front and share something with one of us to pray, this is your moment.
Speaker 1: Amen.
Speaker 1: This word is also a healing word, it is a transforming word, and so if you want to surrender that disease, that sickness, this word is available and the kingdom is prevailing in Jesus, nifinyange in Jesus.
Speaker 1: I'm waiting for you.
Speaker 1: Who is about to make a decision, to come forward One more minute as you come.
Speaker 1: You are the one I'm waiting for.
Speaker 1: You are the one our pastors and deacons are waiting for, so that you can come and make that decision that is in your heart, in Jesus' name.
Speaker 1: Maybe it is a confession that you want to make.
Speaker 1: Come forward.
Speaker 1: The kingdom will only prevail if we move forward and magnify the name of Jesus.
Speaker 1: Someone else?
Speaker 1: It's about the word.
Speaker 1: It's about what you have received.
Speaker 1: It's not about me.
Speaker 1: It's about the word.
Speaker 1: It's about what you have received.
Speaker 1: It's not about me.
Speaker 1: It's about the word that you have received.
Speaker 1: It's not about me.
Speaker 1: You are not coming for me.
Speaker 1: You are coming in response to the word that you have received.
Speaker 1: It is only you who knows what you would want, how you would want to respond to that word in a moment, one more minute.
Speaker 1: I'm inviting you.
Speaker 1: You want to advance?
Speaker 1: This is the moment that you come into contact with this word in Jesus name, those who are online.
Speaker 1: You can let us know and somebody will reach out to you in a moment.
Speaker 1: In the name of Jesus, unify me.
Speaker 1: Who will come?
Speaker 1: Open the door.
Speaker 1: Father, in Jesus name, we thank you for your word.
Speaker 1: It is your word that advances the kingdom.
Speaker 1: Your word prevails, your word causes growth.
Speaker 1: Your word causes growth.
Speaker 1: Your word transforms, your word convicts.
Speaker 1: Your word changes the lives of your people.
Speaker 1: Because, lord, your word has come forth.
Speaker 1: May that word have an impact over my life.
Speaker 1: May that word have an impact over my wife.
Speaker 1: May that word have an impact over our children and, indeed, may that word have an impact over each one of us who have listened to it today and others who will connect with it later on.
Speaker 1: We thank you that, lord, you have given us a word for today.
Speaker 1: Receive all the glory and receive all the honor.
Speaker 1: In Jesus' name we pray and God's people say Amen.
Speaker 1: Give the Lord a hand clap in Jesus' name.
Speaker 1: God bless you.
Speaker 1: Let's assist these ones who have responded.
Speaker 1: God bless you.
Speaker 1: Let's assist them in Jesus' name.
Speaker 1: Just a quick reminder's.
Speaker 1: Assist them in Jesus' name.
Speaker 1: Just a quick reminder Remember, ladies, you can get this.
Speaker 1: You can register by scanning the QR code and if you are not able to do that, just walk to the tent outside and you will be able to register.
Speaker 1: Let me also remind us that we have a business expo after this service.
Speaker 1: Kindly visit the tents to my left, those who are visiting with us for the first time again, just follow this corridor.
Speaker 1: You will be ushered to the visitor's lounge where you will meet our leaders to connect with you.
Speaker 1: Let me release this blessing that is also found in our bulletin and it says in the next four months from today, you will advance and not retreat.
Speaker 1: You will be strong and not weak.
Speaker 1: You will be healthy and not malnourished.
Speaker 1: You will be bold and not fearful.
Speaker 1: You will be cheerful and not depressed.
Speaker 1: You will be optimistic and not hopeless.
Speaker 1: You will thrive and not merely survive, for the God of the kingdom will re-energize you for the advancement, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Speaker 1: And therefore, your Monday is blessed, your Tuesday is blessed, your Wednesday is blessed, your Thursday is blessed, your Friday is blessed, your Saturday is blessed and you are coming back to the house of the Lord with a testimony of the advancing kingdom.
Speaker 1: In Jesus name and now, may the grace of our Lord, jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us both now and forever more.
Speaker 1: Amen and Amen.
Speaker 1: God bless you.